HEAD = New Neighborhood Events Committee Plans Fun for All

 

Pre-pandemic and even before that, Historic Brookhaven had neighborhood bunko, book clubs, fundraising events for Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta through the Friends group, a moms club, and other fun activities. Most of that has fizzled, but a group of neighbors recently rallied and are forming a new events committee that plans to put on holiday celebrations, wine tastings, bunko nights, happy hours, organized playdates, and more.

 

All Historic Brookhaven residents are invited to participate in the committee and be part of events. The committee will embrace the annual neighborhood Street Party as well as the Halloween Block Party. The group is also recruiting block captains to distribute flyers and plans a meal train group to provide food for new mothers, ill neighbors, and new residents.

 

Historic Brookhaven Events, headed by Justine Regnier, met for the first time in mid-October. Be on the lookout for communications about upcoming events and ways you can get involved. Event ideas include:

 

 

The event planning committee and all events are open to residents from across the neighborhood regardless of age, block, or subdivision. For more information or to get involved, contact Justine at justineregnier6@gmail.com.

 

HEAD = Rizk Family Hosts Take Heart Founder

 

On Friday, September 8, Mona Rizk hosted a Ladies Fellowship Event to raise awareness for the Take Heart Foundation. Founded in 2015, the organization’s mission is to take care of persecuted Christians around the world. It is currently serving in Nigeria, Iraq, Syria, and Egypt.

 

Executive director and co-founder Aida Samir Markam talked to guests about ways Take Heart empowers women through spiritual support and income-generating projects, equips youth, nurtures younger children with education and medical checkups, and develops local leaders. She shared details of the foundation’s recent work in an Egyptian town, including how drawing, music, and other creative activities were being used to help traumatized youth deal with their pain.

 

Mona welcomed guests to her Carter Drive home with a Mediterranean feast, including homemade stuffed peppers and kenafeh pastry. For more information on Take Heart and ways you can help, visit missiontakeheart.org.

 

 

HEAD = Street Party Celebrates 50 years of Neighborhood Association

 

On September 29, the Historic Brookhaven Neighborhood Association (HBNA) celebrated its 50th anniversary at the 2023 annual Street Party. Around 250 neighbors attended and enjoyed live music with a DJ, food trucks, and face painting and other activities for kids. The party took place around the two triangles at the East Brookhaven Drive, Davidson Avenue, and Lakehaven Drive intersections.

 

HBNA president Maribett Varner spoke to the crowd about the association’s history. Past neighborhood association presidents were invited. Jack Huber, Toni Rhett, Stephanie McGarity, and Mary Virginia Coffman attended.

 

 

HEAD = Holiday Mailbox Brigade! How to Purchase Decorations and Volunteer

 

It’s once again time for the Historic Brookhaven Friends’ Mailbox Brigade. Started by longtime resident Toni Rhett almost 35 years ago, the brigade continues as a neighborhood holiday tradition benefitting Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta.

 

What is the brigade? It’s the December holiday mailbox decorating project run by the neighborhood Friends group and assisted by volunteers throughout Historic Brookhaven.

 

This year sales begin on November 1 and run through November 17. But don’t wait until the last minute to purchase your mailbox decoration. Last year, the popular decorations sold out early. Visit http://www.choa.org/mailbox to order.

 

For a requested donation to Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta, your mailbox will be decorated with fresh holiday greenery and a large, handmade bow. Volunteer crews will decorate between November 27 and December 10. Additionally, CHOA will distribute Holiday Hug signs to hospital patients’ doors for each purchased mailbox decoration.

 

If you haven’t volunteered for the Brigade before, consider doing so this year. It’s a fun holiday venture. Grab a friend or two or three, and sign up. Email Justine Regnier at justineregnier6@gmail.com. The more volunteers, the more mailbox decorations Friends can sell -- and the more neighbors who get to be part of this now Atlanta-wide tradition that began in Historic Brookhaven.